Millbrook Village

Mill Brook Days

by Frank Dale

Millbrook School. Photo by Mike Mykowski

Millbrook Village, part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation
Area, is a re-created community of the 1800s where aspects of pioneer
life are exhibited and occasionally demonstrated by skilled and dedicated
docents throughout the village. Although most of the buildings at the
site are replications, Millbrook has a real past. A few of the old structures
have survived the ravages of Mother Nature, and escaped condemnation
to make way for the ill-fated Tocks Island Dam project in the 1960s.
Although the project sealed the fate of this and other villages in what
is now a National Park, the Millbrook Village
Society has worked
hard and consistently to bring the village back to life.

Nan Horsfield, one of the area's outstanding historians, has accumulated
a large and well-organized collection of books, files, newspaper clippings,
photos, and more, telling the story of our area. But in addition to this
material, her personal background, especially as it relates to her mother's
side of the family, named Spangenberg, and especially to the generations
of Spangenberg farmers who lived in and around the Warren County village
of Mill Brook, tells a rich and endearing family story.

Millbrook Mill. Photo by Mike Mykowski

Her mother, born Mary Julia but known to everyone as Julia, was Nan's
principal source of information, and her most intimate contact with the
Spangenberg (earlier spelled Spangenburg) side of the family. Julia was
the oldest of seven brothers and sisters born in old Mill Brook. Her
birth date was 1903, and she lived an exciting and happy childhood in
the little village and in the house owned by her father, Jason. In the
same village lived other members of the family including Julia's favorite,
Uncle Lester, a confirmed but happy bachelor who remained in the village
until he died at a ripe old age in his ripe old house with heirlooms
and junk piled to the ceiling. Julia's family home in the village was
adjacent to the impressive local Methodist Church. The family didn't
attend church often, but the children listened each Sunday to the hymn
singing. Christmas was the only church day in this family and the children
wore their shoes, sang hymns, and enjoyed the Minister's Christmas candy.

The other institution, the village school, dated back to 1840 when classes
were held in the basement of the original church. When church membership
outgrew its little home and moved to the present bigger structure in
1868, the school board took over the first floor of the small structure
and educated local children here for almost a century.

Father Jason, after a house fire, moved his family from declining Mill
Brook to a more promising and modern village called Layton, in nearby
Sussex County. Here the family lived on, and Jason's two surviving children,
now a little older, are still there. For a while Nan lived in Layton
with her mother and clearly remembers Grandpa, who passed away in 1957
at age 87. His first daughter, Julia, Nan Horsfield's mother, reached
the age of 92.

Millbrook Village interior. Photo by Dotty Waxman.

That ended the family's life in Mill Brook that had started, probably
in the late 1700s. The last family head, Jason, had been born and raised
here by his father, Andrew, and mother, Julia Garis. She was a member
of one of the area's first families. Andrew, only age 17 when the Civil
War began, managed to serve his country during this conflict and got
home safely when it was all over. He produced his son, Jason, just 5
years later... and a few more offspring besides. Andrew was a farmer,
too.

The Warren County map produced in 1881 as part of the Beers Atlas, identifies
the village as a busy place with a grist- mill, a blacksmith shop, the
Methodist Church, the school, a hotel, a store, and about a dozen dwellings.
It also locates the homesite of Andrew Spangenburg and another home just
up the lane from the church, of "Mrs. S. Spangenburg". "Mrs. S." was
Sarah, the mother of Andrew and the widow of an earlier Spangenburg in
the area, Andrew's father, James. James' birth date is 1808. His parents
were Henry and Mary; her maiden name was Shoemaker. Henry and Mary are
the earliest family members of record to live in Mill Brook, but little
more is known of them. Son James, when he grew to adulthood, farmed the
area. He took time off to marry a local aristocrat, Sarah Hill, and raised
a fine family. He bargained and traded with his wealthy in-laws and acquired
top quality farmland in the area. Perhaps his hard work shortened his
life, for he passed away in 1866 at the age of 58. Or perhaps his short
life was caused by his extra effort to produce and raise a first-rate
family. He succeeded in the latter.

But the life of Mill Brook has not ended. Or, if it has, it's been reborn.
The "new" church, built in 1860, still holds services, including those
wonderful Christmas meetings, and the old one-room schoolhouse still
stands and could reopen for classes tomorrow, if necessary. Even Uncle
Lester's house survived. A sign identifies it as "Lester Spangenburg's
Cabin"; its been cleaned up. And every year the still large and active
Spangenberg family holds its reunion, with Nan Horsfield in the happy
crowd. And coming up soon is an annual celebration that shows off the
lovely and historically rich village to the general public. This event
is called "Mill Brook Days" and it brings to life the family motto; "They
Always Had A Happy Life".

It would appear the Nan has had good reason to love the past. The family
supported itself with local farming, and Nan remembers as a child helping
the family especially with roadside sales of their produce. Her mother
and grandfather Jason both lived into their 90s. And Jason's grandfather
James must have loved the community, for they all lived here and raised
their children here, beginning in the early 1800s. They all raised large
families-and healthy ones, with one exception. That exception was Uncle
Lester, who never married, although he had a girl friend, once. But he
lived in Mill Brook, to a ripe old age, in a ripe old house cluttered
and filed with junk.

Millbrook Days are celebrated each fall
at Millbrook Village in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area,
12 mi north of Rt 80 at Old Mine Road and Rt 602. Admission is free.

, Port Jervis, NY 12771, 1-800-724-8342

Wilbur's is the perfect destination on a drive through the New Jersey countryside. British foods and candy, Yankee candles, wind chimes, pet-themed gifts, preserves, much more. Charming location in barn complex between Newton and Blairstown.

12 Morris Farm Rd., Just off Rt 15, Lafayette 07848, 973/383-0065

Private campground community offering affordable vacations that include central water and sewage disposal, boating, hiking,fishing and planned activities throughout the summer for all ages. Located minutes from Mountain Creek and only 55 minutes from New York.

100 Tall Timbers Rd, Sussex 07461, 973/875-1991

Pet friendly, AAA-rated motel offers all the comforts of home on seven country acres on a spectacular hillside location minutes from High Point State Park and Appalachian Trail. Cozy, warmly decorated rooms with up-to-your-door parking offer free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, plus microwaves and minifridges. Kids age 12 and under stay for no extra charge.

Comments

Fred Schofer05 Apr 2017, 08:15

Event dates for 2017 some are tentative.
Full details will be posted close to each event on Face Book " Millbrook
Village Society "
Spring Fling / Season Opening 5-27-16
Old Fashion Independence Day Celebration 6-24-16
Millbrook Days 9-16-16 and 9-17-16
Octivities 10-21-16
Victorian Christmas 12-2-16
Hymn Service ( Evening Only ) 12-3- 16

Jack LeClair14 Sep 2016, 20:20

Is the annual event for 2016 actually scheduled for this weekend? I cannot
find confirmation anywhere.

Wil Bullivant03 Sep 2016, 06:32

Hello Friends, Millbrook Days is coming up soon. The dates are September 17
and 18, 2016, 10 AM to 4 PM both days. There will be an array of
craftspeople demonstrating old time, traditional crafts, the buildings will
be open with costumed volunteers giving tours, demonstrating everyday
activities that were common a century or more ago. The garden is growing
vegetables and flowers, kids games will be going on and the old time string
band will entertain you on Saturday. Come and spend a day or two with us at
Millbrook. We'll enjoy seeing you and you'll enjoy your visit. Check
millbrook village society on facebook for more information.

Jim Kida09 Oct 2015, 19:36

Hello I am also interested in the Welter Family history at Milbrook. My
great grandfather was Clarence T V Welter. He was the son of John Welter
and Caroline Dingman. I personally knew him up until I was 14 years old. I
visited Milbrook Village this past September for the 1st time on a visit
back East. A very nice gentlemen was kind enough to show me where the
Welter House stood in disrepair in 1974 and where the family graveyard
(which is now unkept)still remains. Caroline's family established Dingmans
Ferry on the Delaware. John Welter had 2 brothers who were Police
Commissioners for East and West Stroudsburg. I beleive Coonrad Welter was
active in the Milbrook community. Any info about the Welter family would be
helpful. Thanks Jim

Ken Walter13 Aug 2015, 21:48

Is there any Welter family history available? I am searching for
information on Henry Welter, b. ca. 1778 and his wife Margaret Bird.

They were an early family in this area and were active in the local church.
I am told that there is a Welter family bible in the local church.

Millbrook Days WILL NO LONGER BE on the first full weekend in October . We
are looking at September 9TH & 20TH for 2015 PLEASE Check our face book
page Millbrook village Society or call myself Fred Schofer 973-875-3461 or
Wil Bullivant 908-537-2544

Fred Schofer,V.P. Millbrook village Soci09 Feb 2015, 12:17

Millbrook Village society is on Face book. You DO NOT need to join face
book to view our page, (to comment on it or contribute photos you do need
to join ) We will be changing Millbrook days this year to an earlier date
in September . We will have our traditional programs this year and
hopefully some new ones !Please like us on face book to keep updated on
events . Thanks, Fred Schofer V.P. Millbrook Village Society

Millbrook Days
October 4Th and 5TH 2014
10 AM to 4 PM – Rain or Shine
Are you tired of the fast pace of the 21st century? Step back to a quieter
time where the high price of gas, credit cards, cell phones and computers
are not found. Experience Millbrook Days where Millbrook Village comes
alive as it was over a century ago.

Volunteers in period clothing will demonstrate 19th century crafts and
trades recreating the atmosphere of a late 19th century rural farming
community.

Try the stilts, jump rope or roll the hoop. There will be kid’s games
throughout the village . Marbles, checkers, ring toss, tug of war, sack
race and corn husk doll making to name a few. Kids of all ages can join the
fun. No batteries needed!

The blacksmith, wood workers, wheelwright, carvers, slate splitter,
tinsmith, miller, rope maker, chair caner, shaker box maker, chair maker,
wooden pitch fork maker, wet plate photographer and other craftsmen will be
demonstrating their skills. Step in and ask if you can help; there are lots
of hands-on things to try.

An assortment of hit and miss engines will be setting the tempo for the
corn Sheller, grinder and other vintage machinery. To some the sound of the
old engines is music too. I hear they‘ll be making some ice cream with an
engine driven ice cream churn, too. What flavor might that be?

Apples are in season. The grinder and press will be turning out some fresh
cider and the kettle will be cooking down some apples for delicious apple
butter. Lend a hand, it’s fun.

There’s something for everyone to see and enjoy. A friendly atmosphere
abounds and new friends are sure to be found at Millbrook Village.
Everything is free of charge and family oriented. Donations are accepted.

Picnic and rest room facilities are available. A food concession is
available on both days provided by the Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church.
Millbrook Days is presented by the Millbrook Village Society in cooperation
with the National Park Service.

Millbrook Village is part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation
Area. Millbrook Village is located in Hardwick Township, NJ at the
intersection of Old Mine Road and Millbrook Road, County Route 602N.

Parking and admission is free. Shuttle bus service is provided between the
Watergate & Turtle beach area to Millbrook Village from 10 AM to 5 PM
daily – free of charge.

For information or directions visit the Millbrook Village Society Website
www.millbrooknj.com or
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Millbrook-Village-Society/413672305431861?re
f=stream or the NPS website www.nps.gov/dewa/millbrook village
or call 908-841-9531, 908-537-2544 or 973-875-3461

Sally Orgren17 Jun 2014, 17:09

For Summer of 2014
Hill House will have a resident weaver/spinner present from Frances Irwin
Handweavers Guild, demonstrating textile arts from the period. Come and
visit us!

Sunday, June 21

Saturday, July 5

Sunday, July 13

Sunday, July 20

Saturday, August 16

Sunday, August 17

Sunday, July 31

Robert A "Bob" Demarest22 Dec 2013, 14:50

Hello;..I've been involved in Millbrook Village as an active volunteer
since 1976..also member of the once very active Millbrook Village Society
for 30 plus years and have recently placed two family trees
on...."www.ancestry.com.... which have been the most influential families
in the Millbrook area since the earliest days of European Settlementin the
1700s. One..the earliest family tree is entitled the "Vancampen Millbrook
Family Tree" and the other is the "Hill Millbrook Family Tree"...If your
family has ties to Millbrook..they probably are related to, or tied into
one or both of these family trees;...happy hunting Bob D

D Bennun21 Oct 2012, 14:26

Hello there. I was at Millbrook Village a couple of years ago and I
purchased a contraption (I think it's a toy) but I can't remember how to
use it. \r\nIt is a very simple item made of 2 parts: 1 sqaure flat metal
disc slightly curved over on 2 opposite corners (2" square) and 1
semi-circular metal piece with indentations on each end into which the 2
uncurved corners pop into allowing the disc to spin freely. Does anyone
know what this is and how to use it?\r\nThank you

Wil Bullivant01 Sep 2012, 05:56

Hello Fiends,\r\nSummer is passing us by; the days are getting shorter and
the nights a little cooler. Thee are so many subtle changes that are in
progress to bring is Autumn.\r\nMillbrook Days is on its way too. Millbrook
Village will come alive again on the first full week end in October, 10-6
and 7-2012. \r\nMillbrook Days has become a tradition with many families -
like the changing leaves and a hint of frost, a visit to Millbrook Village
for the event has become a part of Autumn for many. \r\nJoin us this year;
take in the sights, smell the fragrances of another era, hear the stories,
listen to the music and watch the volunteers portraying a lifestyle as it
was lived a century ago.\r\nCheck the website millbrooknj.com for more
information.\r\nHope to see you at Millbrook, Wil...

Wil Bullivant09 Apr 2012, 10:55

Hello Friend,\r\nMillbrook Village is alive and well. Despite last year's
problems dealt by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, clean up and
repairs have been under way and things are slowly getting back in shape.
There is still a significant amount of flood damage in tne lower village
caused by the VanCampen Brook. The lower roadway by the Garis Barn is
washed out and the new foot bridge in the upper village was significantly
damaged. Repairs are currently deferred awaiting funding.\r\nThis year's
activities started on schedule with Maple Sugaring in early March. Events
are planned for May, June, October and December, as well as the regular
summer week end activities from Memorial Day week end through Labor Day
week end. Hopefully all of the needed repairs will be completed by October
for Millbrook Days.\r\nPlease check the Millbrook Village Society's website
millbrooknj.com for information about the Society, Millbrook Village,
events, membership and what's going on.\r\nWe're looking forard to seeing
you at Millbrook Village.\r\nRegards, Wil...

Re: Edward Cosgrove's Comment\r\n I am a Great Grand Daughter of Tressa
Garris Buntin ! I remember Her, and dear Aunt Sadie very well.....My
Grandmother was Marion Buntin Thompson, Tressa's only child. I would love
to be in touch with You and any more of my relatives found through
Millbrook....Will be visiting NJ the 1st week of may and plan on visiting
Millbrook, and also Tranquility Cemetery where "Gramma" and Aunt Sadie are
laid to rest, as well as many more relatives from the early days...Feel
free to contact me through email. Thank You !!\r\n

arnis buza29 Sep 2011, 19:26

It is a shame that Hurricane Irene and subsequent rains caused the
cancellation of Millbrook Days in 2011. Hopefully we will be back next
year. If the rain ever stops.

Wil Bullivant01 Sep 2010, 14:29

Millbrook Days will be on October 2 and 3, 2010 with a full array of
activities on both days.\r\nCheck the Millbrook Village Society website
millbrooknj.com for details.\r\nHope to see you at Millbrook Village.

Garris family in Millbrook. My grat grandmother was Abby Mina Garris and
this side of the family always used 2 r's rather than one. Abby's father
was Hamilton Polk Garris who was the son of John Garris. John was born in
Millbrook to Abraham Garris who, among other things, ran a store as well as
the grist mill. Abby's two sisters were Tressa Garris Buntin and Sadie
Garris Odell. Both were very active in trying to keep Millbrook alive
through the 1940s through the 1960's. They attended many of the summer
Millbrook Reunions and I have several pictures of those events. \r\n\r\nI
visited Millbrook as a child in the 1950's with my father who would drive
us all over Northwest New Jersey showing us our familt heritage and
imparting stories. My most recent vistits to Millbrook have been thrilling.
About two years ago I was retracing my father's route from Flatbrookville
to Millbrook and was expecting to see nothing. I was amazed when I got to
Millbrook and saw what has been done to bring the village back to life.
Subsequently, I joined to Historical Society and have brought my own son
(now 38 years old) to visit.

Notify me of the upcoming events at millbrook I enjoy comine up there.

George r Bross16 Mar 2008, 00:19

what events? how much? when? I,m coming ferom rt739 in Milford Pa.. how do
i get ther?\r\n

Wil Bullivant11 Feb 2008, 12:41

Hi Folks,\r\n\r\nI have the 2008 schedule of events for Millbrook Village's
events for this year.\r\n\r\nThe Millbrook Village Society and the National
Park service is planning events in March, May,June,July, September,
October, November and December, 2008 with activities for all ages.
\r\n\r\nContact me for details and check the Millbrook Village Society
website: wwww.millbrooknj.com\r\n\r\nThanks, Wil...

Stay in Touch!

Keep informed about all the great stuff to do in and around Northwest New Jersey by reading our seasonal publication, the Skylands Visitor magazine. You'll find comprehensive portraits more attentive to geographic, cultural, and historical attributes than county and municipal borders. Explore the remarkable personality of this place and get a year-round supply of great things to see and do!!